NBA MVP candidate, 24, diagnosed with collapsed lung as playoffs near: report

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxNews.com.

As the Detroit Pistons have suddenly become a contender for the NBA title, their best player will be missing for the foreseeable future.

Cade Cunningham, who has thrust his name into the MVP conversation, has been diagnosed with a collapsed lung, according to ESPN, and is expected to miss an extended period of time.

The 24-year-old was the first overall pick five years ago out of Oklahoma State and has lived up to the billing, averaging 22.6 points, 7.9 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game in his career.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) looks on during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. (Daniel Kucin Jr./Imagn Images)

He has hit another level in the last two seasons, though, being named an All-Star each time — last year, he finished seventh in the MVP vote. Since the start of the 2024-25 season, he's put up 25.4 points, 5.8 boards and 9.5 assists per contest.

Cunningham has seen the trials and tribulations of the Pistons, as it was just three seasons ago when they set the all-time record for the longest losing streak in NBA history at 28 games and finished 14-68 under Monty Williams, who had just signed, at the time, the richest contract for an NBA coach in history.

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) celebrates during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

ICONIC SPORTS VENUE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN TO HOST NYPD, STAFF AT PRIVATE CONCERT AMID 'THANK YOU' EFFORT

But the following season, the Pistons earned the sixth seed in the Eastern